We all know life can be hectic. Whether you’re balancing a full-time job, 3 sports schedules, and piano lessons, or a huge project at work, soccer practice and karate, it can be difficult to always have time to make smart decisions for yourself and your family when it comes to eating healthy.
But don’t fear! With a little prep work, you can have healthy snacks on hand and ready to pack for those crazy days when you don’t know whether you’re coming or going. Check out these 10 easy and healthy snacks you can take on the go.
1. Fruit
Fruit is one of my favorite things to take on the go because it requires no prep time and is ready to go as soon as you bring it home. My favorite options are apples, bananas, and grapes. Of course, it’s easiest to just grab the whole fruit instead of cutting it up ahead of time because as soon as you cut it, the fruit starts to brown. Add 2 Tbs. natural peanut butter to your snack for an even more energizing pick-me-up!
2. Vegetables
Vegetables also make great healthy on-the-go snacks. They do usually require a little more prep work than fruit, but it’s still fairly simple to have them ready to go in no time. I also really like to store vegetables in mason jars. For example, you can add a few tablespoons of light ranch dressing or natural peanut butter to the bottom of a small mason jar and then add baby carrots or celery sticks on top and have your snack ready to go.
3. Hard-boiled Eggs
Some people really like hard-boiled eggs, and some people hate them. I can say I enjoy them occasionally, but I’m not one to eat them every day. The good news is that they are packed with nutrition, especially protein, and are easy to eat on the run, despite having to be refrigerated. This is definitely something you may want to bring a fork for though.
4. String Cheese
String cheese is a great option for an on-the-go snack because it’s small, but packs a punch of healthy calcium and protein. I have to say the kid in me really comes out because I really do have to pull apart every piece before eating it. It also needs refrigerated, but if you’re packing a cooler for drinks, they’ll stay perfectly fine in those as well.
5. Nuts/Trail Mix
This is one of my favorite options for an on-the-go snack because they are so nutrient-dense, they don’t have to be refrigerated, and they give you a great energy boost. It’s exactly what your typical afternoon lull calls for. And trail mix itself is extremely versatile. Mix your favorite nuts with dried fruit, pretzels, etc. and have a great snack that totally hits your salty-sweet cravings.
6. Protein Bars/Protein Shakes
Either one of these options is great for on-the-go because they are essentially designed to be eaten that way. There are tons of options out there that you can try and find which ones you like. There are a few things to look for when you’re making your decision, and those are primarily the amount of protein and the amount of sugar. The idea is to find a bar or a shake that you like the taste (because let’s be honest, if you don’t like it, you won’t eat it anyway), has a high amount of protein, and a low amount of sugar. One of my favorites is the Quest line of products. They’re Quest Bars and Shakes are so good for you and for those of us that can’t eat gluten, all of their protein bars are gluten-free and have little to no sugar, but they still taste amazing. My favorite flavors are Blueberry Muffin and Chocolate Peanut Butter. Try them for yourself and I promise, you’ll be hooked!
7. Pretzels/Dry Snacks
Pretzels and other dry pantry snacks are great to pack on-the-go because they don’t require refrigeration and they require minimal prep work. The key here, as with any of your healthy snacks, is that you want to weigh your options nutritionally. In other words, try to get the best bang for your buck. And be careful with these snacks because there are tons that are loaded with preservatives BECAUSE they don’t require refrigeration. The great thing is that nowadays there are plenty of options of organic snacks that are shelf-stable and nutritious. Order them online if you don’t have a good place to buy them locally.
8. Air-popped Popcorn
Smart-Pop popcorn is a great snack and easy to pack, but why buy it if you can make it on your own just as easily. If you will have access to a microwave, like at the office, then I would recommend popping the cornels right before you eat them. But otherwise, you can still make it ahead and enjoy it whenever. Follow my Air-Popped Popcorn recipe to learn how to make it even if you don’t have an air-popper.
9. Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups
I think this one takes us all back to our childhoods. After all, it’s just a more entertaining way to eat dried fruit. But did you know that it’s actually really easy to make yourself? All you have to do is puree your favorite fruits in a blender and then dehydrate them on parchment paper. If you have a dehydrator, great! There are typically easy settings for each one that include dried fruit. If not, then you can still make them and just dehydrate them in your oven. It take a few hours but this prep work is easy to leave and come back to. If you’re using your oven, it usually works best to use a temperature around 170 degrees and cook them for about 3 hours. The low and slow method is what works best here.
10. Yogurt Parfaits
I’m a big fan of yogurt parfaits, even though I can only eat limited amounts of dairy. The healthiest option is to make your own by layering greek yogurt, a great source of calcium and protein, with fruit and nuts or homemade granola. This one also requires refrigeration, unless you’re planning to eat it right away. Mix your favorite combinations and enjoy!
Enjoy these snacks around the house or on-the-go. Either way, they’re easy to prep and healthy to boot! Do you have any great snack ideas? Be sure to leave them in the comments. I’d love to check them out!